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When I began as an aesthetician at Elements Salon and Wellness Spa, (ESWS), I was leery about their custom brand products for skin care. A custom brand is a product of skin care custom made and formulated with specific ingredients; designed to offer a top quality product, without the high price of designer products. There are many that do it. Maybe I looked down at such products because of my training with exclusive spa lines, mostly from Europe, that had specific protocols and were pretty costly. Maybe I thought “If it’s expensive then it must be good and have high quality ingredients.” Or I had “contempt prior to investigation”. I owed it to myself at ESWS to get to the bottom of my disdain in order to raise my comfort level and commitment.

I am often drawn to ingredients in products more than just their pretty faces. I have been trained in many skin care lines in my years of practice. I was apprentice to a Master Aesthetician and Chemist who insisted on knowing ingredients and their origin, to focus on result oriented products and not be taken by the brand name. I appreciate products that have a multi-purpose use, which saves the consumer tons of money. Why buy 5 products, when 3 will do?

I researched the active ingredients in a few of my favorite Elements skin care line:

There is a difference between a serum and a moisturizer. Serums have smaller particles of ingredients and are much thinner in consistency than a moisturizer. They are simply full of active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin to boost healing, such as strong anti-oxidants and vitamins, potent botanical extracts. They are beneficial in that they have 2 or more active ingredients that are multi-purposed for optimum use, usually in the evenings when our skin rests and heals.

A moisturizer can be used either day or night, depending on whether it has a sunscreen in it. Sunscreen is only for day use. Our daily moisturizer is designed with anti-oxidants and botanicals to create protection from environmental elements such as sun, wind, desert dust, and dry, hot desert climate. Moisturizer ingredients can include a sunscreen of 15-20 SPF, which is enough if you are not going to be in direct sunlight all day. Hyaluronic acid is a good ingredient because it holds 1000 times its weight in moisture and we produce it in our own skin until we reach 35-40 years of age. Peptides that stimulate collagen growth are also great in day or night moisturizers. Here in Las Vegas, we need to care for our skin differently than people that live in other cities where the weather is not as harsh.

Elements HA+Collagen Serumcontains both hyaluronic acid and collagen peptides. It is my favorite serum within the Elements Skin care line of products. The peptides are marine based and come from the skin of salt water sea life. Studies show that marine peptides assist in the repair and regrowth of skin and other body tissues, such as cardiac and lung tissue. Marine collagen peptides help to repair the collagen lost in our skin as we age. This serum is for anyone concerned about dehydration, fine lines, and all around skin rejuvenation and repair.

Keep it Calm Relief Serum is another favorite. It contains an extract form called ranunculus ficaria, which is a flower from the rose family. It is known to help reduce inflammation and decrease the dilation of blood vessels that cause redness in the skin. This serum can be used to combat the effects of rosacea or under eye puffiness. Wonderful for use after waxing, a chemical peel or a late night out.

Ultra Soy Peptide Moisturizercomes in as a super charging moisturizer. Matrixyl, an ingredient that has two peptides that result in a super peptide that stimulates collagen growth, thereby tightening and firming the skin. This super powered moisturizer also contains soy protein that assists in the tightening process. Recommended for harsh winter months and relief from hot summer days. Clinical test results show a 44% reduction of deep wrinkles, 16.6% increase in lifting effects and 14% reduction of roughness within two months of daily use.

Oxygen Revitalizing Cleanseris an invigoration and revitalizing cleanser that awakens the skin with ginseng, orchids and glycoproteins which gives skin a sweet boost. These key ingredients help to stimulate the skin promoting oxygen revitalizing effects. This cleanser also contains Japanese green tea, one of the most effective skin soothing ingredients, not to mention a strong anti-oxidant to assist in a more youthful looking skin.

Please stop in and say “Hi” or call for an appointment. I can do a quick skin analysis for you. Bring your current products with you and I will make recommendations to you for optimum skin health.

Testimonials

Testimonial
I had a wonderful experience at this Salon. Had hair colored,conditioned and styled. Teven was very good and gave me a wonderful new look. Everyone was friendly and I would recommended this Salon to everyone.

Noelle

February 11, 2016

I'm kind of new to this, so I hope my picture shows up. I just did caramel highlights for the first time and my hair looks great. I've been going to Elements for a long time and I usually did regular highlights but I was looking for something a little different. I love the way my hair came out and so does my husband. Thank you Gina for always doing such a great job!